- Title: ARGENTINA: Hundreds protest judicial reform laws
- Date: 24th April 2013
- Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (APRIL 23, 2013) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF ARGENTINA'S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VARIOUS OF CONGRESSMAN DEBATING THE JUDICIAL REFORM LAW VARIOUS OF PEOPLE PROTESTING OUTSIDE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PATRICIA DISTEFANO, SAYING: "This cannot be. This doesn't happen anywhere in the world. This is co-opting of the justice system by political powers. No act of corruption, of which we know a lot about, will ever be able to come to light." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE FOLLOWING THE DEBATE ON A LARGE SCREEN TELEVISION AND PROTESTING BY BANGING ON PANS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SOL BUCANAN, SAYING: "None of these decisions are being made in an adequate manner, because a judicial reform law is too important to decide on in so few days. It is a process that should take years." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE PROTESTING
- Embargoed: 9th May 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Argentina
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVADBIGI392LW06QT8WN0VEI3GL5
- Story Text: Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Argentina's House of Representatives on Wednesday (April 24) as congressmen debated three controversial measures that president Cristina Fernandez has proposed to reform the country's judicial system.
Opponents to the president's broad judicial reforms proposal, which includes public elections to pick members of the Magistrates Council - a powerful body that nominates and disciplines the nation's judges - argue it would allow Fernandez to appoint more judges sympathetic to her agenda.
Protester Patricia Distefano said that the reforms will lead to corruption cases being hidden from the public eye.
"This cannot be. This doesn't happen anywhere in the world. This is co-opting of the justice system by political powers. No act of corruption, of which we know a lot about, will ever be able to come to light," she said.
Earlier in the day, pro-government congressman, who needed 129 members present in order to advance the bill for debate, erupted in celebration when the official count showed 132 lawmakers present.
Local man Sol Bucanan said that the legislative decisions about the reforms were being made too hastily.
"None of these decisions are being made in an adequate manner, because a judicial reform law is too important to decide on in so few days. It is a process that should take years," he said.
The measures were passed by the Senate last week, but the upper chamber will have to hear the proposals again if it is approved in the House due to changes made by a justice and constitutional commission on Tuesday (April 23).
Fernandez's critics also argue her moves to shake up the country's judicial system is in response to controversial rulings that have stifled a broadcast reform law that would force media conglomerate Grupo Clarin to sell off lucrative operating license. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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